Weather & Environment Mechanics
Overview
Weather is a dynamic system affecting survival, warmth drain, visibility, and movement. Each biome has distinct weather patterns and global weather fronts create changing conditions across the world.
Weather System
Global Weather Fronts
The game uses a global weather front system that affects the entire world:
- Duration: 0.5-1.5 days per front
- Updates: Weather changes when front expires
- Components:
- Temperature (°C)
- Wind speed
- Precipitation
- Description
Weather Front Properties
Each front randomly generates:
- Temperature: Base value modified by season and biome
- Wind: Speed affecting warmth drain
- Precipitation: Rain/snow intensity
- Duration: How long the front lasts
Biome Weather Modifiers
Each biome modifies the global weather front with local characteristics (from BIOME_WEATHER):
Forest
- Temperature: 0.0°C (neutral modifier)
- Wind: -0.4 (reduced by canopy)
- Precipitation: +0.10 (moderate)
- Shelter: 0.25 (good natural cover)
- Description: "Sheltered by canopy"
- Effect: Best natural shelter from wind
Plain
- Temperature: +0.3°C (slightly warmer)
- Wind: +0.6 (very exposed)
- Precipitation: 0.00 (base level)
- Shelter: 0.0 (no cover)
- Description: "Exposed to elements"
- Effect: Fastest warmth drain in wind
Mountain
- Temperature: -2.7°C (very cold)
- Wind: +0.7 (strong winds)
- Precipitation: +0.25 (frequent storms)
- Shelter: 0.05 (minimal)
- Description: "High altitude"
- Effect: Most challenging weather conditions
Swamp
- Temperature: -0.4°C (cool)
- Wind: -0.2 (sheltered by vegetation)
- Precipitation: +0.60 (very wet)
- Shelter: 0.15 (some cover)
- Description: "High humidity"
- Effect: Constant moisture, hygiene issues
Shore/Coast
- Temperature: -0.8°C (cool)
- Wind: +1.0 (strongest winds)
- Precipitation: +0.18 (moderate rain)
- Shelter: 0.05 (minimal)
- Description: "Coastal winds"
- Effect: Harsh coastal weather
Lake
- Temperature: -1.2°C (cold)
- Wind: +0.8 (strong)
- Precipitation: +0.20 (moderate)
- Shelter: 0.0 (fully exposed)
- Description: "Water moderates temperature"
- Effect: Cold and exposed
River
- Temperature: -0.9°C (cool)
- Wind: +0.5 (moderate)
- Precipitation: +0.22 (moderate)
- Shelter: 0.10 (riparian cover)
- Description: "Riparian zone"
- Effect: Decent shelter from linear vegetation
Ruins
- Temperature: -0.2°C (slightly cool)
- Wind: +0.9 (channeled through structures)
- Precipitation: +0.35 (exposed roofs)
- Shelter: 0.30 (best artificial shelter)
- Description: "Partial structures"
- Effect: Best shelter from weather
Road
- Temperature: +0.2°C (slightly warm)
- Wind: +0.4 (moderate)
- Precipitation: +0.05 (low)
- Shelter: 0.0 (open corridor)
- Description: "Open corridor"
- Effect: Fast travel, moderate exposure
Precipitation Types
Precipitation intensity determines effects:
| Intensity | Description | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | No precipitation | < 0.5 |
| Drizzle | Light rain | 0.5-1.5 |
| Rain/Sleet | Moderate precipitation | 1.5-2.5 |
| Storm | Heavy precipitation | > 2.5 |
Precipitation Effects
Rain/Wet Conditions (precip > 1.2):
- Clothing strain: +0.12 additional wear
- Hygiene penalty: +(precip×0.6)/hour
- Increased infection risk from injuries
- Visibility reduction in stealth
Storm Conditions (precip > 2.5):
- Severe warmth drain
- High hygiene loss
- Movement difficulties
- Risk of extreme weather events
Warmth Drain Calculation
Warmth drain is affected by multiple weather factors:
Base Formula
warmthDrain = WARMTH_DRAIN_BASE × weatherFactor × timeFactor × shelterFactor × clothingFactor × perkFactorWhere:
- WARMTH_DRAIN_BASE = 0.35/hour
- weatherFactor = 1.0 + (wind×0.10) + (precip×0.08) + (coldTemp×0.05)
- timeFactor = 1.18 (night), 1.08 (storm at dawn), 0.88 (day)
- shelterFactor = 0.45-1.0 based on shelter quality
- clothingFactor = Based on insulation stats
- perkFactor = 0.70 (cold_adapted) or 1.30 (cold_sensitive)
Time of Day Modifiers
| Time | Hours | Warmth Modifier |
|---|---|---|
| Night | 21-4 | 1.18× drain (18% faster) |
| Dawn (storm) | 5-7 | 1.08× drain (8% faster) |
| Day | 8-17 | 0.88× drain (12% slower) |
| Dusk | 18-20 | Normal |
Extreme Weather Events
The game includes extreme weather event system (Improvement 6):
Event Types
- Blizzard: Extreme cold and wind
- Heat Wave: Dangerous heat
- Severe Storm: Heavy precipitation and wind
Event Properties
- Intensity: 0-100 scale
- Duration: Hours remaining
- Effects: Multiplied drain rates, damage
Blizzard Effects
- Warmth drain: ×(1 + intensity×0.5×weatherMod)
- Direct warmth loss: -(intensity×3×weatherMod)
- Movement restrictions
- Visibility near zero
Heat Stroke Risk
- Triggers in heat waves
- Requires cooling and hydration
- Progressive damage if not treated
Frostbite Risk
- Triggers when warmth ≤ 0 during extreme cold
- Progressive damage
- Requires warming and medical attention
Weather Forecast System
With a Barometer tool, you can predict weather:
Forecast Display
- Shows upcoming days' weather
- Temperature prediction
- Wind forecast
- Precipitation estimate
- General description
Using Forecasts
- Plan travel during clear weather
- Prepare for storms (stock wood, shelter)
- Avoid mountain travel in cold fronts
- Time outdoor activities for good weather
Seasonal Weather Patterns
While the game doesn't have explicit seasons in the base code, weather fronts create seasonal-like variation:
- Cold Periods: More frequent low-temperature fronts
- Warm Periods: Higher temperatures, less precipitation
- Storm Seasons: Increased precipitation frequency
- Clear Spells: Extended periods of good weather
Shelter & Protection
Natural Shelter (by Biome)
| Biome | Shelter Value | Protection Level |
|---|---|---|
| Ruins | 0.30 | Excellent |
| Forest | 0.25 | Good |
| Swamp | 0.15 | Moderate |
| River | 0.10 | Fair |
| Shore/Mountain | 0.05 | Poor |
| Plain/Lake/Road | 0.00 | None |
Artificial Shelter
Tent/Tarp:
- Passive benefit when carried
- Improves shelter rating
Shelter (crafted):
- Significant warmth drain reduction
- Weather protection
Complete House:
- Up to 55% warmth drain reduction
- Best protection from all weather
- Passive warmth bonus
- Best recovery environment
Fire Benefits
- Warmth: +25/hour when standing on fire spot
- Duration: Up to 18 hours with fuel
- Morale: Prevents night morale penalty
- Light: Helps visibility
- Cooking: Required for food preparation
Weather Strategy
Storm Preparation
- Seek shelter: Ruins or house
- Stock firewood: Light fire early
- Stay put: Avoid travel during storms
- Monitor warmth: Use fire to maintain warmth
- Hygiene: Wash after storm passes
Cold Weather Survival
- Layer clothing: Stack insulation items
- Stay dry: Avoid water biomes
- Keep moving: Generate warmth through activity
- Build fires: Regular warmth recovery
- Find shelter: Forests better than plains
Heat Management
- Hydrate frequently: Increased thirst drain
- Seek shade: Forest or ruins
- Avoid exertion: Rest during heat
- Cool water: Drink extra water
- Light clothing: Minimal insulation
Wet Weather Tactics
- Avoid swamps: Already high precipitation
- Wash later: Use rain for hygiene if needed
- Dry off: Find shelter and fire
- Change clothes: If available
- Monitor infection: Wet injuries risk infection
Weather and Game Mechanics
Hygiene Impact
- Rain: +(precip×0.6)/hour drain
- Cold: +(100-warmth)/120/hour drain
- Activities in wet: Additional hygiene loss
Infection Risk
- Wet conditions (precip > 1.5): Injury infection chance +base
- Cold conditions (warmth < 45): Injury infection chance +base
- Combined: Multiplicative risk
Clothing Wear
- Rain (precip > 1.2): +0.12 additional strain
- Wind (> 3): +0.05 strain
- Cold (temp < 0°C): +0.06 strain
- Effect: Clothes degrade faster in bad weather
Visibility
- Rain: Reduced tracking ability
- Storm: Severe visibility reduction
- Night: Requires light source
- Stealth bonus: Rain provides cover (0.7× visibility to NPCs)
Weather Tips
- Check barometer daily: Plan ahead
- Stock emergency supplies: Always have fire materials
- Know shelter locations: Mark safe spots on map
- Dress appropriately: Match clothing to forecast
- Timing matters: Travel during good weather
- Biome selection: Choose weather-appropriate biomes
- House is king: Best long-term weather solution
- Fire management: Keep tinder and wood stocked
- Monitor warmth: Don't let it drop too low
- Adapt movement: Slow down in bad weather
Extreme Survival
Blizzard Survival:
- DO NOT travel
- Stay in best shelter available
- Keep fire burning continuously
- Ration supplies for duration
- Monitor warmth constantly
Heat Wave Survival:
- Minimize activity
- Drink 2-3× normal water
- Stay in shade (forest/ruins)
- Rest frequently
- Watch for heat stroke symptoms
Storm Safety:
- Indoor shelter preferred
- Fire for warmth and morale
- Wait it out
- Stock food/water before storm
- Repair shelters after storm passes